CNA Requirements in Mississippi
Mississippi requires CNA candidates to complete a state-approved training program of at least 75 hours, including 16 hours of supervised clinical practice. After training, candidates must pass the Mississippi Nurse Aide Competency Examination, administered by Headmaster (D&S Diversified Technologies), which has both a written and a skills component. The Mississippi State Department of Health oversees certification and maintains the state registry.
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Mississippi certified nurse aides (CNAs) are certified and regulated by the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) through its Bureau of Health Facilities Licensure and Certification. The process runs in three stages: complete an approved training program, pass the Mississippi Nurse Aide Competency Examination administered by Headmaster (D&S Diversified Technologies), and register with the state nurse aide registry. Candidates already certified in another state can also enter through reciprocity. For information on RN and LPN licensing requirements in Mississippi, see the state nursing license page.
Use the links below to jump to Mississippi CNA training requirements, exam details, and reciprocity information.
- Eligibility Requirements
- CNA Training in Mississippi
- The Examination Process
- The Application Process
- Reciprocity
- Former Nurse Aides
Eligibility Requirements
CNA candidates in Mississippi must be at least 18 years old. Before beginning clinical rotations, candidates must pass a criminal background check, which includes a national fingerprint-based check and a search of the Mississippi Nurse Aide Abuse Registry. A nurse aide with a substantiated finding of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of resident property on any state registry is ineligible for certification in Mississippi.
Mississippi also allows student nurses, graduate nurses, and out-of-state or international nurses to test as CNAs. Students applying based on nursing fundamentals coursework must do so within 24 months of completing that coursework.
CNA Training in Mississippi
Mississippi requires a minimum of 75 hours of state-approved training, at least 16 of which must be supervised clinical experience. No approved program is offered entirely online. Programs are offered through community colleges, proprietary schools, and nursing facilities.
The MSDH maintains the current list of approved programs. Prospective students can request that list by phone or email directly from the State Department of Health. If a training program is no longer in operation, candidates should contact the MSDH to verify how to proceed.
Medicare hires some candidates, and Medicaid-certified long-term care facilities, before completing certification. This is permitted only when the candidate is enrolled in a facility-based training program. Those hired by nursing homes must achieve certification within 120 days of their hire date. Candidates who train at proprietary schools or colleges have up to two years from program completion to pass the examination, within three attempts. CNAs who later consider advancing from CNA to RN can find information about bridge programs on this site.
The Examination Process
Mississippi CNAs take the Mississippi Nurse Aide Competency Examination, administered by Headmaster (D&S Diversified Technologies) through its TMU (TestMaster Universe) platform. The examination has two components: a skills portion and a written (or oral) knowledge test.
The skills portion requires candidates to perform five nurse aide skills selected from the published list in the candidate handbook. The written portion is multiple-choice. Candidates who need the oral format must indicate that on their examination application.
Some candidates test at their own facilities. Others travel to one of the regional testing sites across the state. There are currently seven testing cities in Mississippi.
After an approved application is submitted, candidates can expect to receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) within ten business days. On exam day, candidates must bring two forms of ID and a watch with a second hand. A candidate who needs to reschedule must call by noon at least five business days before the scheduled exam.
Arriving late forfeits testing fees. A candidate who misses the written exam window may still be permitted to take the skills exam. Results are generally available the same day.
If a candidate fails either component three times, they must complete another approved training program before attempting certification again.
Current examination fees are published in the Mississippi Candidate Handbook on the Headmaster/TMU website. Verify fees before applying, as they may differ from older sources.
The Application Process
Candidates submit applications after completing training but before the examination. Application materials and scheduling are handled through Mississippi’s TMU (TestMaster Universe) system, administered by Headmaster (D&S Diversified Technologies). The current candidate handbook and application portal are available on the Headmaster/TMU website.
Mississippi-trained candidates must include a copy of their training certificate and have the application signed by their program coordinator or instructor. Graduate nurses submit a copy of their certificate. Student nurses include a training certificate and an instructor’s signature. Their program must be verified as state-approved by the MSDH before submitting.
Applications are submitted through the TMU platform. For assistance with the application process, contact Headmaster (D&S Diversified Technologies) at (888) 401-0462.
Reciprocity
A nurse aide with a current out-of-state certification can be certified in Mississippi by reciprocity, provided that the original state training and examination program meets the federal Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) requirements and the candidate is in good standing with the out-of-state registry.
Reciprocity candidates must document paid nursing work experience unless they earned their out-of-state registry status within the prior 24 months. A W-2 or pay stub is acceptable documentation. The registration fee for reciprocity applicants is $26. Reciprocity application materials are available through the Headmaster/TMU platform.
Former Nurse Aides
A nurse aide with lapsed Mississippi certification may attempt the examination without retraining. If that first attempt fails, however, the candidate must enroll in an approved training program before testing again.
Nurse aides with a substantiated finding of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation on any state registry are disqualified from certification, regardless of prior certification status. Mississippi cross-checks the national registry in addition to its own.
For questions, the Bureau of Health Facilities Licensure and Certification can be reached at (601) 364-1100. For exam and application inquiries, contact Headmaster (D&S Diversified Technologies) at (888) 401-0462. Current program lists and registry information are available on the Mississippi State Department of Health CNA page.
Find nursing licensure requirements by state for RNs, LPNs, LVNs, and advanced practice nurses.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does CNA training take in Mississippi?
Mississippi requires a minimum of 75 hours of state-approved training, including at least 16 hours of supervised clinical practice. Depending on the program schedule, training typically takes four to ten weeks to complete. No program is offered entirely online. All clinical hours must be completed in person.
How many times can I retake the CNA exam in Mississippi?
Candidates who fail either the written or skills component may retake the failed section. If a candidate fails the same component three times, they must complete another approved training program before they can retake the test. Current retake fees are published in the Mississippi Candidate Handbook on the Headmaster/TMU website.
Can I transfer my CNA certification from another state to Mississippi?
Yes. Mississippi accepts reciprocity applications from CNAs who hold current registration in another state, provided the original training program met OBRA requirements and the candidate has no disqualifying registry findings. Candidates must also document paid nursing work experience unless they earned their original certification within the past 24 months. The reciprocity fee is $26.
What disqualifies someone from CNA certification in Mississippi?
A substantiated finding of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of resident property on any state registry disqualifies a candidate from certification. Mississippi checks both the state nurse aide abuse registry and a national criminal background history before approving any applicant.
How do I stay active on the Mississippi Nurse Aide Registry?
To remain active, a CNA must meet Mississippi’s employment requirements for renewal and comply with any applicable in-service training requirements. Because renewal policies may change, candidates should verify current requirements through the Mississippi Nurse Aide Registry (TMU) or directly with MSDH at (601) 364-1100.
Key Takeaways
- 75 hours of training required — Mississippi mandates a minimum of 75 hours of state-approved training, including at least 16 hours of supervised clinical practice. No approved program is fully online.
- The competency exam has two parts — Candidates must pass both a written (or oral) knowledge test and a hands-on skills evaluation, administered by Headmaster (D&S Diversified Technologies). Failing either component three times requires completing a new training program before retesting.
- Background check is mandatory — All candidates must clear a criminal background check and a search of the Mississippi Nurse Aide Abuse Registry before entering clinical training.
- Reciprocity is available — CNAs certified in other states can apply for Mississippi certification without retesting, provided they are in good standing, and their original program met OBRA standards.
- MSDH oversees certification — The Mississippi State Department of Health Bureau of Health Facilities Licensure and Certification administers the registry and can be reached at (601) 364-1100.
Select your state below to find approved CNA training programs, application links, and certification requirements for your jurisdiction.